Tote Fernández is a recognized musician, professional drummer, and educator based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Born on April 28, 1988, Tote has established himself as one of the most complete and versatile drummers in the country.
With a distinguished career as a session drummer, he has collaborated with a wide variety of artists across diverse musical genres, including rock, metal, funk, pop, and jazz.
His talent has allowed him to perform in both live concerts and studio recordings, collaborating with renowned musicians from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.
Since 2008, Tote has been teaching drumming at his own studio, where he instructs around 30 students weekly. He also conducts clinics both in Uruguay and abroad, and offers online lessons to students worldwide.
Considered an exceptional drummer for his solid groove, powerful sound, and impressive technique, Tote also stands out for his interpretive expressiveness, improvisational skills, and the speed of his hands and feet, which he employs musically in every style he performs.
His influences primarily focus on rock, metal, and progressive music, enriched by a strong foundation in funk and nuances of fusion and jazz.
His positive energy, sense of humor, and professional approach have made him a highly sought-after musician in the national scene.
Tote began his musical journey at the age of 12, training with prominent Uruguayan teachers such as Sergio Garbi and José Luis Pérez.
His education continued with renowned international educators like Dom Famularo and Bruce Becker.
Additionally, he has studied with acclaimed musicians such as Billy Cobham, Mike Mangini, and Chad Wackerman, among others.
In 2009, Tote won the national Montevideo Drumfest competition, and in 2020 he was a finalist in the prestigious international DRUM OFF GLOBAL competition.
He is currently an endorsed artist for the following brands: Bosphorus Cymbals, Canopus Drums, Vater Drumsticks, Audix Microphones, and SkyGel Damper Pads.
In 2020, he launched his solo career with the album ANALYSIS PARALYSIS, oriented towards progressive metal and alternative rock, featuring contributions from notable musicians such as Derek Sherinian, Steve Di Giorgio, and Francisco Fattoruso.
This work was nominated for the Graffiti Awards for Uruguayan Music as Best Metal/Hard Rock Album.
At the end of 2023, Tote released his new single “KAOS,” which is the title track of his upcoming album scheduled for 2025, and includes collaborations from artists like Martin Méndez and Hugo Fattoruso. “KAOS” is already available on all digital platforms.
Throughout his career, Tote has had the privilege of working with numerous artists, including:
Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater), Steve Di Giorgio (Testament), Martin Méndez (Opeth), Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen), Peyote Asesino, Hugo Fattoruso, Francisco Fattoruso, Maria Creuza, Laura Canoura, La Triple Nelson, Jorge Drexler, Tabaré Cardozo, Agarrate Catalina, Dostrescinco, Dr. Rocka, Carlos Malo, Fer O-Smith, and many more.
